Fiction

Ready Player One

Background

Published in 2011, “Ready Player One” is a science fiction novel written by Ernest Cline. Set in a dystopian future, the story follows Wade Watts, a young protagonist who escapes the harsh reality of his impoverished world by entering the virtual reality world known as the OASIS. When the eccentric creator of the OASIS, James Halliday, passes away, he leaves behind a challenge for all OASIS users—a high-stakes treasure hunt for an Easter egg that promises immense wealth and control over the virtual world. Wade embarks on a quest filled with ’80s pop culture references and puzzles, competing against a powerful corporation, and forming unlikely alliances in both the virtual and real worlds. As the race intensifies, Wade discovers the true implications of the game and the consequences it could have for society.

Ready Player One
Ready Player One

My Thoughts

I originally thought to listen to this book while I was running a half marathon but I decided against it. However, it stuck in my mind and I realized I hadn’t watched the movie as of yet. Big mistake! Wow, that movie had almost nothing to do with the book… Don’t watch the movie!!!

So, I had to re-read the book. I loved it again! This hits me in all the right places as it touches on so much of my childhood and the things I loved back then.

Recommendation

Love it! If you were a computer loving child of the 80’s, I think you will love it too.

Storm Front

Background

Published in 2000, “Storm Front” by Jim Butcher is an urban fantasy novel that introduces Harry Dresden, a wizard and private investigator in modern-day Chicago. In a world where magic and supernatural beings exist, Dresden becomes entangled in a web of mystery and danger when a series of brutal murders occurs in the city. Using his unique skills and dry sense of humor, Dresden must navigate alliances, confront ancient powers, and unravel a conspiracy that threatens both the mortal and supernatural realms.

Storm Front
Storm Front

My Thoughts

I ran a half marathon and wanted something both familiar and enjoyable to listen to while I put one foot in front of the other. Also, a friend of mine said the book didn’t really hold up after he had read the series. So, I was curious and pulled it down again. I was glad I did.

This book isn’t as refined as his later work but it was also his first foray into the writing business. As it was a class assignment Butcher’s teacher said was good enough for prime time, I don’t know we should be making too many judgements.

Regardless, I still enjoyed the book. Harry Dresden is a wonderful character and it was a pleasure to revisit him when he had more humility and was just getting started. When I was done with the run, I had to finish it!

Recommendation

Great book, great series. Not for children but I can’t say enough good things.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Background

Published in May of 2022, “Remarkably Bright Creatures” is the story of how an octopus put a family together.

Tova Sullivan is a widow who works the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. She has been haunted by the disappearance of her son, Erik, for over 30 years. One night, Tova becomes acquainted with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus is a curious and intelligent creature, and Tova is drawn to him. As they spend more time together, Tova begins to suspect that Marcellus knows something about Erik’s disappearance. With Marcellus’ help, Tova may finally be able to find the answers she has been searching for.

Remarkably Bright Creatures
Remarkably Bright Creatures

My thoughts

This book was a long time on hold before it made it to me and it felt overblown by the recommendations and interest generated. The book took a long time to get started but I did finally get interested by the time the ending came around.

Recommendation

Not worth the hype.

First Contact

Background

Published in ???, “First Contact” is the second book in the Legacy Earth series written by Ross Buzzell. Lance Warder is stationed on Mars when first contact is made by the alien race known as the “Galio”. Lance is at the right place and right time to be selected to act as diplomatic security and is the first to learn about this new race and the 5 others in our galaxy. However, the radical group known as the Veles does not want contact to occur and attempts to sabotage the mission.

Legacy Earth
Legacy Earth

My Thoughts

This book was somewhat like a teenager’s idea of what would make a good Sci-Fi. Lance is very overpowered and is the only one who really understands what is going on. The other characters are two dimensional and are hardly needed by Lance or the story as a whole. Even the love scenes read like someone didn’t quite know what kissing a girl was like.

Of course, this doesn’t mean it wasn’t a fun read. The action keeps the book moving along but there are some groan-worthy moments.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence but I will continue through the series.

The Terraformers

Background

Published in January of 2023, “The Terraformers” is a book by Annalee Newtiz about the distance future and on a planet called Sask-E. It starts with an Environmental Rescue Team member named Destry who discovers a city full of people that shouldn’t exist, hidden inside a massive volcano. She brokers a treaty with the owners of the planet so that these people can live in peace. Thousands of years later, this treaty and the ideas stemming from it tip the balance of power.

The Terraformers
The Terraformers

My Thoughts

This book was garbage. It is full of ridiculous concepts and is completely barren of morality. It promotes socialistic goals from the most childish formats imaginable. Everyone and everything is a person in this book complete with rights, feelings, and so on. (E.g. Worms, machines, a door…) Seriously, the only requirement is the ability to speak. By this definition my washing machine is alive because it announces when a load is complete. Should I have to consider how it feels when it breaks down and respect it’s rights to live in it’s “home”? Does it have equal say in my home with everyone else that lives there? These are the deep questions asked by this book. I kept reading to the end and hoping it would get better. It didn’t…

Recommendation

Pure crap.

First Lord’s Fury

Background

Published in 2009, “First Lord’s Fury” is the final book in the “Codex Alera” series by Jim Butcher. The vord are launching the slow systematic takeover of the people of Alera and will destroy all life as they know it across their entire continent. Tavi, now First Lord of Alera, must engage this enemy with limited resources and flagging resistance against a seemingly unstoppable enemy. As the war rages it comes down to a simple few to can change the fate of the kingdom.

First Lord's Fury
First Lord’s Fury

My Thoughts

As much as I don’t like the vord as a villain or literary device, I have to say this book came back around to a more interesting enemy. Rather than the usual semi-zombie type automatons, the vord queen seemed to have a feel more like the movie, “Species”. This book gave her color and character which were sadly missed by the others. Tavi became much to overpowered as did several others but it’s all in good fun.

Recommendation

It was a nice ending to the series.

Princep’s Fury

Background

“Princeps’ Fury” is the fifth book in the “Codex Alera” series by Jim Butcher. The Vord, a deadly and mysterious enemy, are back and now they threatens to overwhelm Alera and its people. Tavi took the Carnim back to their homeland but find the Vord have taken that places as well. With the help of his loyal friends and allies, “Octavian” must rally his forces and use every tool at his disposal to defend his homeland and defeat the Vord. Along the way, he faces personal struggles and difficult choices that test his character and his commitment to his people.

Princep's Fury
Princep’s Fury

My Thoughts

Not a bad book but I liked the previous one better. I’m just not that excited about the Vord and I hope the resolves in the next book as something better than just beating back these zombie-insect-things.

Again, the reader isn’t disappointed by the author’s imagination and story telling. There are some pretty disturbing images in a few parts but the majority was fun.

Recommendation

Not my favorite in the series but still not bad.

Captain’s Fury

Background

“Captain’s Fury” is the fourth book in the “Codex Alera” series by Jim Butcher. The humble protagonist, “Tavi” is really Gaius Octavian, nephew and heir to the First Lord Gaius Sextus of Alera. Sextus is dying, and although Tavi is the heir he is still on a mission as a “cursor” for the First Lord and is not known in the legion under his real name. All of the officers are killed in a Carnim attack and Tavi must prove himself as a capable leader in the midst of war. Along the way, he learns important lessons about leadership, sacrifice, and the true nature of power.

Captains Fury
Captains Fury

My Thoughts

This book brought together a number of issues and answered a lot of questions. Tavi is outed as his true self and finally is able to access his birthright of power to fantastic effect. His entire life has given him training to be outside of the norm and he brings that perspective to bear against every road block.

His is a great character full of integrity and a concern for his responsibilities. You can’t help but like him even if he has more luck than a field of 4 leaf clovers… I worry he is getting a little too powerful but the series is almost over so I guess I have no complaints.

Recommendation

Great book.

Cursor’s Fury

Background

Cursor’s Fury is the third book in Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series. It is set in a world where people can bond with elemental spirits called furies. Tavi is a young man who does not have a fury, but he is still determined to be a soldier at the request of the First Lord. He joins a new legion and is sent on a mission to investigate a rebellion. Along the way, he learns more about himself and his abilities. He also makes new friends and allies, and he comes to realize that he is capable of great things in spite of the powers he lacks.

Cursor's Fury
Cursor’s Fury

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. Jim Butcher did a great job imbuing Tavi with a good heart and spun a great tale demonstrating how adversity can strengthen someone and prepare them for bigger and better things.

The book itself is a great story but it is building to an even bigger climax in the later books. I’m excited to see where it goes.

Recommendation

Great book. I really enjoyed it.

The Witch’s Vacuum Cleaner and Other Stories

Background

The Witch’s Vacuum Cleaner and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by Terry Pratchett, first published in 1987. The short stories are set in a variety of different worlds, and feature a wide range of characters, from witches to wizards to pirates.

The Witch's Vacuum Cleaner
The Witch’s Vacuum Cleaner

My Thoughts

I enjoyed some of these stories such as the Trolls hunting for their crown jewel but some just felt like they needed a lot more story. These read like Terry Pratchett’s lost idea book though he did capitalize on some of the stories for later books. In that sense, it felt like Tolkien’s “The Silmarillion”. There just wasn’t enough there really get grounded and enjoy the story.

Recommendations

Pratchett is a master story teller but the shorter stories didn’t give quite the punch that I’d come to expect from his work.